The influence of soiling with human sebum and sweat on the water transfer characteristics of fabrics was investigated.
　Water absorbency and moisture regain were examined for cupra fabrics soiled with various oily substances, components in sweat, and proteins.
　The water absorbency of soiled cupra fabrics was decreased com-pared to that of unsoiled one. The extent of the decrease depended on kinds of soil and soiling level. Soiling with saturated oils and proteins brought a considerable reduction in the water absorbency. The decrease of water absorbency rate was also observed.
　These changes of the water absorbency are supposed to be due to the changes of wetting of fiber and fabric surface.
　The moisture regain of soiled cupra fabrics was decreased or in-creased depending upon kinds of soil. These results are supposed to be related to both the hygroscopicity of soil and the changes in water adsorption sites of cellulose molecules.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.14/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE